UNC women earn share of ACC lead with huge win over No. 13 Louisville behind Deja Kelly’s 23 points

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina sent a loud message Sunday that it’s one of the best women’s teams in the ACC and better than its No. 23 ranking. Deja Kelly sent the Tar Heels into overdrive with nine of her game-high 23 points in the third quarter, when they took control with a 9–0 run, ending No. 13 Louisville’s six-game losing streak Sunday in a physical 79–68 win before 6,073 fans at Carmichael Arena.

No. 4 Heels dominate boards again, put away eighth straight win at free-throw line

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — No. 4 North Carolina again made an opponent pay for putting the Tar Heels on the free throw line. UNC didn’t shoot that well from the floor in the second half but made 14 of 15 free-throw attempts after halftime, as the Heels extended their win streak to eight with a workman-like 76–66 victory Saturday over Boston College at Conte Forum.

Hubert Davis hated Louisville pulling within five but loved the response

CHAPEL HILL — There was plenty that Coach Hubert Davis didn’t like about how No. 4 North Carolina let Louisville pull within five points in the second half of Wednesday’s 86–70 victory. But Davis said he was happy to see his team’s response, as the Tar Heels took control to earn their seventh straight win. It was just the latest time that his team has reacted strongly in a tough moment.

Deja Kelly fires in 27 as UNC escapes Ga. Tech with win, off to best ACC start in 10 years

Regardless of the opponent, winning on the road in the ACC is a challenge, and teams don’t worry too much about style points as long as they can get a win.

That was the case for No. 23 North Carolina on Thursday, which weathered some rough offensive stretches but rode tough defense and finished strong to escape Atlanta with a 73–68 victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday at McCamish Pavilion.